Devotional, Devotion, Prophecy, Bible Study, Bible discussion, End of Days, End Times, Enter Ministry, Underground Church, Church, Fellowship, Tribulation, Salvation, Ordained, Love, Heaven, Miracles
Author: Michael Young, Sr.
I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me.
I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians.
I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments.
I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 52
“It will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.”
“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” –
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 11:20-24.
These words of Jesus are spoken, both to those in that day and are prophetically spoken to everyone of all the ages since that day.
Jesus is patient and loving beyond our comprehension. He is the embodiment of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control.
But there is a time coming when the faithful will be rewarded and the faithless will be judged. And Jesus words should be taken with all the seriousness and gravity as one would expect from God’s judgments.
Jesus is warning the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon and Capernaum of God’s coming judgment for their unbelief, their sins and their worship of false gods despite the fact that they had seen and experienced the acts of Jesus in their midst. This warning is extended to each and every person, city, state and nation who falls in the category of the unbelieving ways of Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon and Capernaum. BE AWARE and BEWARE!
These coming judgments are pictured as seven seals opened, seven trumpets blown, and seven bowls poured out. God’s judgment against the wicked will leave no doubt as to His wrath against sin. (Besides punishing sin, these judgments will have the effect of bringing the nation of Israel to repentance.) Here is a recap of these judgments for your edification:
Here are the judgments of the tribulation period (Revelation 6—16):
Wars, famine, earthquakes, death, martyrdom, a cosmic apocalypse, a rain of hail and fire mixed with blood hurled to the earth as a third of the earth will be burned up, and a third of the trees will be burned up, and all the green grass will be burned up. Something like a great mountain burning with fire will be hurled into the sea; and a third of the sea will become like blood, and a third of the creatures in the sea will die; and a third of the ships will be destroyed.
A great star will fall from heaven, burning like a torch, and it will fall on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters, and a third of the waters will become wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.
A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars will be struck, so that a third of them are darkened, and the day will not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.
Then a star from heaven shall fall to the earth; and the key to the shaft of the abyss will be given to Him, and He will open the shaft of the abyss, and smoke will ascend out of the shaft like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air will be darkened from the smoke of the shaft. Then out of the smoke will come locusts upon the earth, and power will be given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They will be told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they will not be permitted to kill anyone, but to torment people for five months; and their torment will be like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a person. And in those days people will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death will flee from them!
Then the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates will be released. And the four angels, who will have been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, will be released, so that they will kill a third of mankind. (The number of the armies of the horsemen will be two hundred million; These armies will release fire, smoke and brimstone, and a third of mankind will be killed by these three plagues, that is by the fire, the smoke, and the brimstone which will come out of their mouths. For the power of the horses will be in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails will be like serpents and shall have heads, and with them, they will do great harm.
(The rest of mankind, who are not killed by these plagues, will not repent of the works of their hands so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they will not repent of their murders, nor of their witchcraft nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts).
Next, and harmful and painful sores will afflict the people who have received the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image, who are the ones who have not believed on Jesus and who have rejected Him. And the sea will become like the blood of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea will die. Then the rivers and the springs of waters will become blood.
And the sun will scorch people with fire. And the people who are scorched with the fierce heat of the sun will blaspheme the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and will not repent to give Him glory.
Then the throne of the beast, and his kingdom will be darkened; and those who worshiped him will gnaw their tongues because of pain, and they will blaspheme the God of heaven because of their pain and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.
The great river, the Euphrates; and its water will dry up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.
Then you will hear, “It is done.” And there will be flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and a great earthquake, so great an earthquake and so mighty, such as there had not been since mankind came to be upon the earth. The great city will be split into three parts; and the cities of the nations will fall. Babylon the great will be remembered in the sight of God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
And every island will flee, and no mountains will be found. And huge hailstones, weighing about 100 pounds each, will come down from heaven upon people; and people will blaspheme God because of the plague of the hail will be extremely severe.
The greatest danger facing many people who call themselves Christians is unbelief. This type of unbelief is manifest in two ways:
There are those who go by the name of Christian but are not doing what Jesus has told them to be doing until He returns. Note: You are in grave danger.
There are those who acknowledge what has been written and then casually go about your way thinking you will not be affected, ignoring your responsibility to warns others of this pending doom, ‘The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord’.
Exegesis is “the process of careful analytical study of the Bible to produce useful interpretations of those passages.” (The word “exegesis” comes from the Greek term, exegeomai, which means “to explain” or “to narrate” or “to show the way”.
The process of exegesis involves asking questions of the text that might unearth new insights. However, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary is clear that the goal of exegesis is “to know neither less nor more than the information actually contained in the passage. Exegesis places no premium on speculation or inventiveness” and “novelty in interpretation is not prized.”
Simply put, exegesis is not about discovering what we think a text means (or what we want it to mean), but what the biblical author meant. It’s concerned with intentionality; what the author intended his original readers to understand.
The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a passage based on a subjective, non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,” which means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants.
Obviously, only exegesis does justice to the text. Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. Exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words.
Second Timothy 2:15 commands us to use exegetical methods: “Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” An honest student of the Bible will be an exegete, allowing the text to speak for itself. Eisegesis easily lends itself to error, as the would-be interpreter attempts to align the text with his own preconceived notions. Exegesis allows us to agree with the Bible; eisegesis seeks to force the Bible to agree with us.
The process of exegesis involves, (1), observation: what does the passage say? (2), interpretation: what does the passage mean? (3), correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible? and (4), application: how should this passage affect my life?
Eisegesis, on the other hand, involves, (1), imagination: what idea do I want to present? (2), exploration: what Scripture passage seems to fit with my idea? and, (3), application: what does my idea mean? Notice that, in eisegesis, there is no examination of the words of the text or their relationship to each other, no cross-referencing with related passages, and no real desire to understand the actual meaning. Scripture serves only as a prop to the interpreter’s idea.
First, “the interpreter-teacher” decides on a topic. Let’s say, for purpose of this example, today, the sermon will be about “What is heaven like?” The interpreter reads Colossians 3:1, “Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God”. And the point the interpreter-teacher wants to make is that “we are already in heaven”.
He then goes on to use a story known as “The Allegory of the Cave”, which was presented by the Greek philosopher Plato to compare “the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature”. It is written as a dialogue between Plato’s brother Glaucon and his mentor Socrates and is narrated by the latter. In the allegory, Plato describes people who have spent their entire lives chained by their necks and ankles in front of an inner wall with a view of the empty outer wall of the cave. They observe the shadows projected onto the outer wall by objects carried behind the inner wall by people who are invisible to the chained “prisoners” and who walk along the inner wall with a fire behind them, creating the shadows on the inner wall in front of the prisoners. The “sign bearers” pronounce the names of the objects, the sounds of which are reflected near the shadows and are understood by the prisoners as if they were coming from the shadows themselves.
Only the shadows and sounds are the prisoners’ reality, which are not accurate representations of the real world. The shadows represent distorted and blurred copies of reality we can perceive through our senses, while the objects under the Sun represent the true forms of objects that we can only perceive through reason.
Socrates explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall are not the direct source of the images seen. A philosopher aims to understand and perceive the higher levels of reality. However, the other inmates of the cave do not even desire to leave their prison, for they know no better life. (this color print is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)
He concludes by alleging that Christian’s current view of heaven is like that of the people trapped in the Allegory of The Cave. It is a sweeping assumption, overly broad in its accusation, and breathtakingly inaccurate, incomplete and totally inadequate. He goes on to hypothesize that only heaven is real and the earth or the natural world is just a shadow, like the shadows on the wall of a cave, reflected by the light of a fire. I suppose one could find some similarity in the Bible verse found in 2 Corinthians 4:18, which says “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal”,but even this verse and the surrounding verses are Paul telling us about his own life and ministry and NOT about what heaven is like. In the world’s eyes, Paul’s life was an incredible failure. At the height of a career that would reach much higher, he left it all for a life of hardship, suffering and persecution, with eventual martyrdom. Paul recognized that the world only sees the outward, not the unseen eternal things. When we look at the things which are seen, all we see is our light affliction, and then it doesn’t seem very light! But when we look at the things which are not seen, then we see and appreciate the eternal weight of glory.
Paul isn’t saying that all afflictions automatically produce glory. It is possible to allow suffering to destroy us and to let affliction make us bitter, miserable, and self-focused. However, if we will look to the things which are not seen then our affliction will work in us an eternal weight of glory.(Comment in this color is taken from David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary). But, even 2 Corinthians 4:18 is not about what heaven is like.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with preaching about what heaven is like. And a cursory reading of Colossians 3:1 seems to support that passage as an apt illustration. However, the above interpretation is totally wrong. First, using a secular philosophical teaching to illustrate and illuminate a Biblical truth is speculative at best and errant at its worst.
This interpreter-teacher (or others) may point to the many parables, allegories and idioms used in the Bible as justification for using Plato’s the Allegory of the Cave. However, when the Bible uses such methods to tell a story, the characters and-or events are symbols representing other events, ideas, or people, they are based on pre-existing and familiar people, places and things. They are NOT secular-philosophical assumptions, or presumptions.
Our interpreter-teacher is using an eisegesis to skillfully syncretize Biblical truth and scriptures verses with philosophical teachings which come from the imagination of man, in order to lend some religious credence to his remarks.
For example, our interpreter-teacher says, “the author of The Allegory of the Cave is telling us to step out of the cave and to see the brilliance of the sun. But the captive in the cave says, “And be blinded by the intensity of the sun? No thank you! We have lived in this cave for decades and centuries, and if it was good enough for my grandpa, it’s good enough for me!”.
Our interpreter-teacher then goes on to allege that the Apostle Paul, based on 1 Colossians 3:1, in many ways is calling us, as Christians, to step out of our cave and into the light of the sun; in other words we should come out of our darkened minds of ignorance and simplicity and become enlightened. (Thus the transition – the eisegesis – the syncretism). The Apostle Paul is calling us to set our minds on heavenly things, not on things of this earth. He goes on to state “that we go on to explore the message of this passage in Colossians, we are going to do it through three points:
The first point is that you are already in heaven, whether you know it or not.
Secondly, heaven is for real.
And, thirdly, heaven is a world of love.”
Our interpreter goes on to cite verse one, that “you have been raised with Christ”;
Verse three, “you have died with Christ”;
And then in a reference to Ephesians 2:6, “You have ascended with Christ”.
All of this to further his personal interpretation that heaven is real and our current existence is just a shadow.
Then in a slight-of-hand movement, our interpreter-teacher, goes to Ezekiel 10:9 and sarcastically uses several complex symbolisms from the Bible to explain what heaven looks like, saying “and remember, this is oh-so crystal clear”, know that it is NOT clear at all. (This is an effective deflection to confuse the listener-student about thier own view of heaven so they will lay their old “caveman, cave-like, neanderthal beliefs” aside, and enter into the light of this new revelation” about what heaven is really like.
A problem for our interpreter-teacher arises if the Christian-listener is a Bible student and will read and study Ezekiel chapter 10, only to discover that Ezekiel 10 is not meant to be a description of heaven. It is The Vision of God’s Glory Departing the Temple. Our interpreter-teacher is misleading the listener a false teaching.
Ezekiel 10 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of straying from God’s righteous path. The departing Glory of the Lord from the Temple, however, doesn’t signify an eternal absence, but a call to repentance, encouraging us to invite God’s glory back into our lives by living in obedience and faith.
The Themes of Ezekiel 10 are:
God’s Majesty and Power,
Divine Judgement,
Divine Presence and Absence,
Prophet’s Visionary Experience,
Symbolism of Cherubim.
The Topics of Ezekiel chapter 10 are:
Ezekiel’s Vision of God,
The Glory of the Lord,
The Cherubim,
The Wheel within a Wheel,
The Departure of the Glory of the Lord from the Temple,
The People:
Ezekiel,
God,
Cherubim.
The Locations named in Ezekiel chapter 10 are:
The Temple in Jerusalem,
The threshold of the temple,
East gate of the Lord’s house.
Our interpreter-teacher further confuses the student-listener by using a “dietetical” approach by having omitted the real intention of Ezekiel chapter 10.
It is a skillful presentation with a the intention of ‘salting the oats’ of the listener to come out of their ancient and archaic cave which is a metaphor for our ‘old way of thinking about heaven and scriptures’ and to come into the light and thirst for this new way of thinking, this new revelatory view of God and heaven.
His presentation completed, our interpreter-teacher concludes with an invitation for his listeners to accept Jesus’ free gift of heaven, which is without cost. Of course this can be practically irresistible to the ‘heavy burdened and weary traveler of earth’.
Of course Jesus does call, and does encourage each and every person to put down his or her burdens of this earth and to look to Him for relief. And the Bible is abundantly clear that this greatest of Gifts cannot be earned nor can it be purchased for any price. However, Jesus also makes abundantly clear that we trade in or sacrifice our old life for a new life with Him. And indeed, the salvation of one’s soul begins immediately for the person who accepts these terms, and lasts eternally. It is upon these conditions that we will live with Him in heaven, forever.
But let’s be clear: The gift is NOT heaven. Heaven is only the result of the Gift. The Gift is Jesus. The gift is His mercy and forgiveness. He gift is the eradication of power and the penalty of sin and death. The result of The Greatest of all Gifts is an eternity with Him in heaven.
Our interpreter-teacher’s first point is that you are already in heaven, whether you know it or not, is true, however, it is positional.
Secondly, our interpreter-teacher says heaven is for real. True.
And, thirdly, heaven is a world of love. Oddly put, but true.
Our interpreter-teacher goes on to cite Colossian 3:1, that “you have been raised with Christ”; and, in verse three, “you have died with Christ”; and finally, in a reference to Ephesians 2:6, “You have ascended with Christ”. This is to point out that these verses sound as if they were written in the present tense, suggesting that they have already come to pass. However, all three verses cited are in the aorist tense, which means they are positionally true in the past, as well as in the present and will be true in the future. This is what is known as “positionally” true, and “progressively true” in its application. One day it will be “practical” and true.. God has said it, we are in the process of getting these, so it is as good as done, but not just yet.
Our interpreter-teacher has some very creative thoughts and ideas and is very entertaining in his Osteen-esque way of preaching. But, in the meantime, I say let’s leave the inerrant Word of God as it is presented in the Bible. It is written to all people in a way to be understood by all people. Now, as Paul instructed Timothy, God instructs you, “therefore, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work”.
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 51
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”
“As they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind, (which is commonplace)? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing (entirely unsuited for the harsh desert)? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. – The Words of Jesus, Matthew 11:7-19
These words of Jesus are often misunderstood or passed over because of their mysterious sounding nature and complexity. These are metaphors and colloquialisms known by the Jew, and if you were a Jew in that day, you would understand the references used.
It would be easy to assume that these words spoken to the gathering crowd are draped in sarcasm, when actually Jesus is issuing a stern warning. He is rhetorically asking the crowd why would they travel so far in such a desolate place? Did they make this journey only to see the ordinary and mundane, such as a commonplace reed blowing in the wind? What would be the point of travelling into the wilderness when you could see that anywhere? Or perhaps did they expect to see a man wearing royal clothing wandering about the wilderness? Nonsense. They are fooling no one but themselves!
Before continuing, please remember that these are creative, causative, prophetic and instructional words of Jesus. These words apply to you and to me today in the same way they applied to the crowds following Jesus. Grasping what Jesus is saying, teaching, prophesying and instructing is our obstacle to overcome.
Even in our day, crowds of people travel near and far after hearing about a miracle-worker, a prophet or a gifted man of God. They go to great lengths to be amazed, entertained or to receive a prophet’s miracle. Too often, however, when we seek out a prophet of God, we only find that which is very ordinary. But what did you really expect?
But if you encounter a true prophet of God, it will not be a commonplace thing. There will be no inspiring oratory, no magnificent stage presence, no entertainment, no magic. Jesus continues by saying,
“But what then did you (really) go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more (eminent, more remarkable and far more) than a prophet (who foretells the future). This is the one of whom it is written (by the prophet Malachi),
“‘Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.” (Matthew 11:9-10)
Jesus emphatically states, whether they know it or not, they shall see one who is a prophet, and more than a just a prophet!
Likewise, if you encounter a true prophet of God, your curiosity will turn into fear. You will not encounter the ordinary, but the extraordinary things of God. Your sins will be exposed, you will be humbled, and you will know the fear of God. You will mourn, you will hunger and thirst, and you will find seek and find mercy.
Jesus warns this crowd and gives us perspective of the natural order versus the Devine, our standing as citizens of earth before Christ Jesus and on our position as Christians in His Kingdom. Jesus continues,
”I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater (in privilege) than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
Jesus, in His tribute to John the Baptist, is reminding us that the greatness of men is measured by the divine, not a human standard. ‘The prophet, who was more than a prophet’, the herald or the forerunner of the kingdom, was greater in his work, his holiness, his intuition of the truth, than the far-off patriarchs, Abraham, Moses, David or Solomon, and much greater than the conquerors and the destroyers. The Greek gives the comparative, not the superlative.
The death and the resurrection of Christ were indeed great points of the gospel, but to which John could only prophesy of, and not preach of, and declare us things in his time accomplished. So, Jesus explains and warns that the weakest Christian is greater in privileges than the greatest of the Old Testament saints.
We are not to seek to attain earthly glory or status – even when they are beneficial and worthy things, for the best of earthly accomplishments fade to nothingness when compared to the glory and privileges, even the lowest of Christians will attain in the Kingdom of God. Jesus continues in
Verse 12, From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violent assault, and the violent take it by force (as a precious prize). Verse 13. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, Verse 14,and if you are willing to accept it, John (himself) is Elijah (the messenger) who was to come (before the Kingdom). Verse 15.He who has ears to hear, let him hear (and heed my words).
You might be better served to read a good commentary for the preceding verses (twelve through fifteen). However, it is certainly passive here. Luke’s phrase compels us to understand the reason of the violence is for entrance into the kingdom. The kingdom is not being ill-treated, but it is as if it were being taken by storm (Meyer). The violent, are men using strong force, men whose minds are made up and who do not care what force and power they employ to attain their object. Take it by force, i.e., ‘grasp it for themselves’ like rough and violent bandits seizing their prey. Our Lord is describing the energy with which some souls are pressing in, and using such energy, so their salvation is obtained. There is no thought of hostile purpose in these words. Next Jesus says, in
Verse 16.“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
Verse 17.“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
Verse 18. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Verse 19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”
Jesus uses a metaphor to describe the behavior of both observant and non-observant Jews as miscreant children, saying they are immature, selfish and childish. They are “like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates”, pretending that what is occurring is only a child’s game for their entertainment. But the seriousness and the reality of it is that, “John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and(yet you ‘childish people’ say), ‘He’s possessed by a demon. ’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’
“Yet, wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Please don’t make the mistake of reading these words and believing they were spoken only to and for the Jews present at that time – or you miss the entire point of what Jesus is saying. These words were spoken to the Jews at that time and for you and me in our time. Also, please remember specifically, the words of Jesus are never random. His Words are always creative, causative, prophetic, and instructional, and are spoken to and for all people of all the ages.
We must grasp the reality, the immediacy and urgency of this fulfillment of prophecies as explained by Jesus in these last days – which are evidenced by the coming of John and of Jesus.
We must not think or behave like immature children through the rituals of “going to church and calling out to our ‘playmates’ seeking to entertain and to be entertained in the name of our religion, complaining when we don’t get what we want or expect.” In other words, we must stop ‘playing church’, and sense the gravity of the task before us as Christians.
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” and of us will be found out by way of our own deeds! There is no exception.
Please, let’s show one another grace and pray for one another. That day is now upon us. We must be mature, trained, obedient and ready for His return. It is imminent.
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
There are millions and millions of books, articles, commentaries and opinions describing and defining “What is a Christian”, and, how a Christian should think, behave and what they should do. It can be a bit daunting and confusing, but, it need not be.
The Bible, if read in context of itself and read at face-value (except for the obvious metaphors, idioms and similes) the Truth clearly emerges.
Here is an example of KEEPING IT SIMPLE when asking…
1. What is a Christian?
2. How does a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, think?
3. How does a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, behave?
4. What is a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, to do?
Here are some, out of numerous scripture verses, that may help answer this important, but basic, questions – all without opinions.
1. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
Acts 11:21-26tells us, “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then, when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with a resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
2. HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN, A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST, THINK?
Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:1 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
3. HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN, A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST, BEHAVE?
John 5:19 “Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”
John 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 12:49-50 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
4. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN, A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST, TO DO?
John14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
MY CONFESSION
(Please memorize and repeat as your confession, and be strengthened)
I WILL THINK LIKE THIS:
Philippians 2:5 “I will have the attitude in me which is also in Christ Jesus, Who, although existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. I, TOO, WILL TAKE ON THE ROLE OF A BOND-SERVANT OF CHRIST. Being found in appearance as a man, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. I too, will humble myself and become obedient to the point of the death of my fleshly desires and passions.”
Philippians 2:1 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, I will make Jesus’ joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose, just as Jesus. I will do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind I will regard others as more important than myself; I will not merely look out for my own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
I WILL BEHAVE THIS WAY:
John 5:19 “Therefore as a follower of Jesus, I confess that, “As the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing, I will do the same; for whatever the Father does, these things I will also do, in like manner.”
John 5:30 “I can do nothing on my own initiative. As I hear the Holy Spirit, I judge; and my judgment will be just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of Godthrough the One He sent, that is Jesus.”
John 12:49 “For I will not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Jesus has given me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Jesus has told me.”
I WILL DO THESE THINGS:
John 14:10 “I believe that Jesusis in the Father, and the Father is in Him, and He is in me.The words that I say, I will not speak on my own initiative, but I will allow theFather, Who is abiding in Me do His works through me. I believe it when Jesus says that Heis in the Father and the Father is in Him, and He is in me; otherwise I believe it because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, I believe in Jesus, so the works that He doesHe will also do through me; and greater works than these He do through me, because Jesus has gone to the Father. Whatever I ask in Jesus name, that will He do, so that the Father may be glorified. If I ask Jesus anything in His name, He will do it.”
Let’s pray for one another and hold one another up, until that day – may God find us faultless when He comes.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
More valuable resources at these links:
Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Do you ever wonder about “The Will of God for your life” or for your life’s circumstances? It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life
Experiencing God’s Will. Have you heard this ‘funny definition’ of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results.” I guess it is sort of funny, but because it bears so much practical truth, it’s really not that funny, especially if you are struggling with an issue. Sometimes it seems, the harder we try, the worse it gets. We might have success for a while, but then we slip back into the same old patterns. We try to lose weight, or we try to stop a habit, over and over and over, we keep using the same old methods, and nothing changes, permanently. The Bible says to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What We Believe. Our saving faith in Christ Jesus and our Biblical Christian World View determine how we approach all ares of life. We express our Christian World View through politics, theology, art, sociology, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, the humanities, science, history, law and government. But, in the end, this music video (creed and confession) captures the essence of what we believe.
There is a verse in the Bible that makes a great point about the inward thoughts and intentions of a person, despite what they may project to you. This expression means that what someone says or does is not necessarily what they think in their heart. People may be courteous or polite, but have contentious thoughts and sentiments. This is particularly troublesome if that person is you.
Ultimately, “what a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The book of Proverbs is known for such concise wisdom. People ruled by sin are influenced by the chief deceiver, Satan, and become deceivers themselves – to the point of being self-deceived.
The main takeaway here is that AS YOU THINK, SO IT SHALL BE WITH YOU, both now and for all eternity. It is important to realize that you were created as an eternal being. God placed you into carbon-based organic flesh-blood-and-bone-shell, so to speak. When the sapient outer-you passes away, the sentient inner-you, your true essence, continues to exist. And “as you have thought, so it will continue to be for you.”
If you based your life on the lusts and passions of this world which cease to exist and dies, like your flesh, then that will have directed your after-life existence (sentient) into a wasteland of outer darkness, horrors of torment, rot, decay and fire. (see Romans 8:6-8). This is the result of rejecting Jesus Christ, “being lost, alone without God”.
If, however, you have set your mind, while you live, on things of the Spirit of God, then you will have life and peace. You will live eternally in the presence and light of God. Revelation 21:4 and Revelation 22:1-5 tells us “and God will wipe away every tear from your eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
“You will see the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb of God (Jesus), in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever.”This is the result of accepting Jesus Christ and your savior and Lord, and being born again – saved!
In this regard, Oswald Chambers, in one of his devotionals, says, ‘The work of salvation through Jesus is complete and finished forever. “I am not being saved — I am saved’. (Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest devotions on 12/5/2019.)
This made me wonder.
I have heard some say “you are BEING saved”, referring to “the process of Sanctification” (that is, to “set it apart for God’s special use and purpose”. But most of the time, when Christians use the word sanctification, they are referring to the progressive work of God to make a believer more like Jesus Christ.)
First, if you believe (or want to believe), it would be important to know what the word ‘saved’ means. Here is what I have found in the Bible:
SAVED: Strong’s concordance #4982 = sozo = safe, save, make whole, heal, be whole.
1) to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; (from injury or peril)
2) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
3) to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
4) to save in the technical biblical sense; to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment
To be made safe, saved, made whole, healed, to be made whole, and kept safe and sound, rescued from danger or destruction in your marriage; with your family; with your friends; in your career or job; in your body, mind, soul and spirit; where you live; where you travel; while you sleep and when you get up.
(Please Note: In this world you will still have tribulations (troubles and stresses), but the eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, (those in right standing with Him through faith in Jesus), and His ears are toward their cry for help. (But), the face of the LORD is against evildoers (and non-believers – those who reject Jesus as their savior), to eliminate the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous, (those in right standing with Him through faith in Jesus), cry out, and the LORD hears and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the LORD rescues him from them all. (see Psalms 34:16-19)
With that said, there are 4 essential uses (tenses) of the word SAVED that can apply to you:
John 3:17,“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that THE WORLDMIGHT BE SAVED through Him.” (NASB)
Acts 2:21,“AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (NASB)
Acts 2:47,“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those WHO WERE BEING SAVED.” (NASB)
Ephesians 2:8,For by grace YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (NASB)
What struck me is the uses of this Word, SAVED (SOZO) shows a progression:
ALL MIGHT BE SAVED
THOSE WHO WILL BE SAVED
THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED
YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED
Why is this significant or interesting?
It is interesting that many believe that they “MIGHT BE SAVED”.
Many others believe they are among those “WHO WILL BE SAVED”
Some believe they are among “THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED”
And some of you know, “YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED“.
WHICH ONE OF THESE 4 USES DESCRIBE YOU?
No kidding. Only one of these four scenarios can secure your eternal destiny in heaven with God, that one is KNOWING that YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED.
Anything less can be tragic.
How can you tell which 1 of the 4 fits your situation and condition?
NOW, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD:
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
You will follow Him.
You will yearn to Think as He thinks;
You will endeavor to Act as He acts;
You will desire to Do as He does;
You will long to Be as He Is.
And, His Reward is waiting for you:
John 10:28-30, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand”.
“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
“I and the Father are one”.
Be Certain – It will show and it will tell.
Your Brother and Friend
Mike Young
PS: Ultimately, what “a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The book of Proverbs is known for such concise wisdom. But beware: People ruled by sin are influenced by the chief deceiver, Satan, and become deceivers themselves and of themselves.
These are the Acts of the Apostles. Let’s learn from them and be blessed.
Healing the Beggar
Acts 3:1,Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. Verse 2. And a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds.Verse 3. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift. Verse 4. But Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us!” Verse 5. And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Verse 6. But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!” Verse 7. And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. Verse 8. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Verse 9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; verse 10, and they recognized him as being the very one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
(Commentary Break: The words of this event have to speak for themselves. I find it interesting, however, that the man “who had been unable to walk from birth” was being carried and is referred to as a beggar.This tells me that this poor man was barely capable of helping himself, so others had to help him get to the place where he could help himself, by begging. But it appears that Peter was having none of it. He calls out to the man, “look at us!” And Peter proceeds to move past the physical and onto the spiritual, saying, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
You see, instead of satisfying the temporal, Peter has taken Jesus at His Word and believes, yes, in fact knows, that he has the authority under Jesus to give permanent restoration, so the man would no longer be a beggar but could fulfill his life’s role, being healed, made healthy, safe and whole – the very definition of being saved – sozo! This is our calling and our example.
I would like to ask, how many times have you encountered a person in physical distress or need, and you called to them and commanded “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”, or “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, receive your sight”?
I humbly submit that I have failed to do this very thing. Once I encounter a blind man and sensed God telling me to call to him, but I resisted. Another time, coincidentally, while telling about my encounter with the blind man, a man in a wheelchair rolled into the classroom where I was teaching and asked what we were talking about. I froze, again.
Finally, on another occasion, I found the courage to act. I approached a man on crutches who had his leg in a cast and asked him what had happened to his leg. He explained he had fallen off a roof. I asked if I could pray for his healing. He smiled and approved. I prayed, “Jesus, I ask you to heal this man”. The man put weight on his foot, smiled, and nodded in the negative. So I asked if I could try again. He approved. I asked the man if he wanted Jesus to heal him, and he nodded, yes. So I put my hands on his leg and prayed again. Still no healing. So I remarked, with a sheepish smile, “Well, sorry. But that’s all I have!” At first, the man laughed and smiled, but then his eyes filled with tears. I was slightly alarmed and asked if I had hurt his leg or offended him? He said he was okay. It was just that his priest had never shown any concern for him like this, and that he was grateful and touched that I would take the time to care about him and at least try. I was speechless.
The point I came away with is that it is Jesus who heals and not me. Jesus does what He chooses as He wishes. We are simply his servant and his vessel. He has told us to obey Him and act on His Word, and to leave the results to Him. (End Commentary Break).
Peter’s Second Sermon
Verse 11. While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished. Verse 12. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? Verse 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. Verse 14. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, verse 15, but put to death the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. Verse 16. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
(Commentary Break): Peter, brash as always, is obviously filled with excitement and conviction. He boldly proclaims an eternal truth, “on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all”.
Rather than assuming the outcome of the Works of God, we should be obedient to His Word and leave the outcome to Him. These things should increase our faith and our conviction. In the end, always giving Him thanks, adoration and worship for what He has done. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 17. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers also did. Verse 18. But the things which God previously announced by the mouths of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled in this way. Verse 19. Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; verse 20, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, verse 21, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times. Verse 22. Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR COUNTRYMEN; TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN regarding everything He says to you. Verse 23. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Verse 24. And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. Verse 25. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ Verse 26. God raised up His Servant for you first, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” (End of Chapter three).
I believe that as we are distressed by various trials in these last days, (these days of birth pains which Jesus said are already at hand), we must exercise His authority over matters, and employ the spiritual gifts He has bestowed on us, thereby we prepare for the greater spiritual battles that looming and are coming to pass. Please, dear friends, let’s not shrink back. That day is near.
QUESTION: Would Jesus be welcomed in His Church, if He were to return today? Likewise, would you be welcomed in your church if you were truly following all that Jesus commanded and in the ways He demonstrated?
Could He resume His ministry as it was prior to His ascension to heaven without being expelled from most churches, attacked by the ‘woke left’, assailed by the radical Islamic front or jailed by our own government?
This is, of course, a ridiculous question because the Bible tells us that Jesus is coming back, but it will be to gather His elect and take them, (rapture them), to stand before the Throne of God so God may begin seven years of judgement on the earth. But the point is that Jesus was far too radical for most Christian church denominations to put up with Him. (non-denominations included).
Just to be clear, Jesus came to earth, was born in a manger in Jerusalem, and did exactly what He came to do in exactly the time that God the Father allotted. When His earthly mission was finished, it was finished. Then He sent us, His disciples, saying, ”Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (See John 14:12.)
I believe this hypothetical is worth considering as a way to determine if becoming a Christian is for you, or to evaluate your own claim as being a Christian and to help refocus Christians minds on the commands and teachings of Jesus. So, let’s begin with some of Jesus’ most controversial statements and acts and see what you think:
GO AND DO AS I HAVE DONE
It wasn’t enough that Jesus demonstrated and performed what He taught, He told His disciples to go and do the same. “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give (exactly as Jesus did it).
Why would Jesus choose to perform the impossible? Was it to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom of God? Jesus had announced that people should “repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”, and they have not only seen and experienced His power, but now His disciples are told to exercise this same power under His authority. So, what has changed since that day? I have searched the scriptures and what I have found is that Jesus is the same today as He was then and His final earthly words were to “follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.”
DO NOT MONITIZE AND DO NOT CAPITALIZE
Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff (in this ministry of Christ Jesus); for the worker is deserving of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.
I don’t know about you, but I find it very unsettling that not only are Jesus’ 21st century disciples (more specifically, many of the pastors, preachers, evangelists, teachers and theologians), inviting people to church rather than going out with the church, they are not doing what they say, they are sending others in their place. Then they capitalize on their methods and acquire wealth and fame for themselves. I not only find it unsettling, but I find it despicable.
DO NOT PATRONIZE PEOPLE – TELL THE TRUTH – STAY ON GUARD
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. Be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues (if you are doing as I have shown you, commanded and taught you); and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.
What part of being sent out as “sheep in the midst of wolves” and to “be as innocent as doves” do you not understand? Hiding behind a bevy of attorneys or cowering in the shadows!
THE GOSPEL WILL DIVIDE THE GOOD FROM THE BAD
“Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death (because of My Message). And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
The Message of the Gospel is divisive only because people will choose the darkness of this world over the Light of the Gospel. One of the primary reasons the nation of Israel has been reviled, persecuted and endlessly punished is because of their absolute standards and enduring success as a people and a nation. Now, even more so, will the world hate and persecute Christians for living the standards of Christ.
STAY ON THE MOVE – DO NOT SETTLE DOWN IN BUILDINGS
“But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
Does it become even slightly apparent that the contemporary churches are not following the commands and examples of Jesus? And please, for those of you who are the paid professional church folks, please don’t try saying, “that message was just for those Apostles”, because if that we true, then the message and command to “go and make disciples of all the world” would have ended after these men were martyred.
But it did not end there. Jesus told His disciples and His Apostles to “Go, therefore, and make disciples”. He did not tell them to go and make Christians or church attenders or religious adherents. He did not even tell them to “go and make men and women, boys and girls who will have a personal relationship with Me”, although that would be an outcome. Jesus told them to “Goand make disciples,of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to follow all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” And as the preceding generation passed away, the present generation is to carry the same message, following the same instructions, using the same methods in the same way.
Jesus commanded and commissioned His disciples to be disciple-makers and to make disciple-makers, each using his or her Spiritual Gifts as they went. They and we are to continue until He returns for His Church.
So many in the church as overly concerned about the appearance and their brand that I am fairly certain that these ‘church leaders’ would object strenuously to these and other words and methods of Jesus if they were spoken and taught in their own churches! For example:
BRING A SWORD
Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35. For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; Verse 36 and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”
FULFILL THE LAW
Matthew 5:17, “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”
CALL SINNERS
Mark 2:17, “And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
SAVE THE WORLD
John 12:47, If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
Luke 12:49, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50. But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51. Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division;
These are just a few of the things Jesus demonstrated and commanded that we, His Church, do.
I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…” or, “times and technologies have changed, so our methods need to change”.
Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of the Satanic evils of false gospels, a new religious paganism, the rise of false teachers, false religions, hiding within the new One World Religion (see the Abrahamic Family House) and the pseudo-religion of the Communist-Marxist-Globalist movements, And we need to get on with it.
We are told, on one side of the coin, to“Go and make disciples of all the nations”,while at the same time, we are told to “be as gentle as sheep and innocent as doves”. We are not only to tell others of God’s Love, His mercies and His grace for all people, but we are to be like-minded, united in spirit, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household, and humble in spirit; and never return evil for evil or insult for insult avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse, but on the contrary, give a blessing pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection. For, “THE ONE WHO WANTS TO ENJOY LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FREE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING treachery, deceit. “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. HE MUST SEARCH FOR PEACE with God, with self, with others AND PURSUE IT EAGERLY and actively, not merely desiring it.
Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, though it is not certain that you will, you are still blessed, happy, and to be admired and favored by God. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR INTIMIDATING THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED or DISTURBED by their opposition. But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy, acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives as Lord.
Always be ready to give a logical reason to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance that comes about by faith that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.
And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed by their own words. For it is better that you suffer unjustly for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer justly for doing wrong.
For Christ died for sins, once for all, He, who is the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous. The Innocent for the guilty, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit. We too must follow His example.
So, now what do you think? Would Jesus be welcomed in His Church, if He were to return today and resumed His ministry as it was prior to His ascension to heaven without being expelled from most churches for His radical approach? Wouldn’t He be attacked by the ‘woke left’, assailed by the radical Islamic front or jailed by our own government?
Likewise, would you be welcomed in your church if you were truly following all that Jesus commanded and in the ways He demonstrated?
This is not just a hypothetical, is it? It is a question to be considered and answered. So, what say you?
It is my opinion, (along with the opinions of thousands or even tens of thousands and perhaps millions) of others, that Christianity has both become too complicated and has veered off the course set by Jesus.
The introduction to Christianity that most preachers use is simple enough, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense and it is not Biblical. “That” being the infamous ‘sinner’s prayer’.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s, a movement emerged to make the Gospel message and the meaning of salvation more relatable. It was an admixture of long held Biblical doctrines with human philosophies, i.e., a syncretism. Words were redefined to fit contemporary social norms, hymns were updated and revised to move people emotionally, and many doctrines and confessions were modified or neglected all together. A wide divergence developed promoting differing political views, social views and musical factions.
This movement further splintered from traditional Biblical Christianity into various new age brands of Christianity, a new and improved kinds of positive thinking religion, all sorts of self-help gospels, a not-so-new name-it-and-claim-it gospel, a brand of communal christianity or the social gospel, (i.e., a twisted Socialist and Communist theology).
Most significantly, a new One World Religion, combining Catholicism, Islam and Judaism named The Abrahamic Family House, a collaboration of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, issue and sign the Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is jointly bestowed on His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Taye
From this chaos, has emerged polished kinetic, entertainment-based style of “church program” and it is becoming the face of “church” transcending denominational lines and religious philosophies.
This strange transformation of the “church experience” has the uncanny ability to excite one’s emotions, producing adrenaline, dopamine and endorphins. It’s almost like going to a religious rock concert or play. It seems to be an attractive and fun alternative to the traditional church service, especially for the under forty crowd. but is discernably lacking the power to transform a person by the renewing of their mind into what is good, acceptable and perfect according to the Bible.
The result of this exploration of alternative methods of presenting the Gospel, seems to have created a drift from actually knowing the God of the Bible and the Bible itself. Many theologians and Bible organizations are sounding the alarm regarding the rise of Biblical illiteracy, especially among professing Christians. According to the “State of the Bible 2020 report” released by the Barna Group and the American Bible Society, U.S. adults who say they read the Bible daily dropped from 14% to 9% between early 2019 and 2020.
The study found that the proportion of Americans who read the Bible daily also fell to fewer than one in 10 (9%), the lowest number on record during the 10 years of the State of the Bible research study.
Unapplied knowledge is just idle information.
There are a multitude of churches which have remained theologically faithful and doctrinally sound, but often they will present the Gospel Message and the Bible in ways that are theologically complex and hard to understand for daily living. Many of these remining faithful churches and preachers and pastors who tend to be “educationally academic” in their approach to preaching and teaching the Bible, may be good at disseminating information and even for indoctrination. But when presented this way it can have limited effectiveness to inculcate the power of the Gospel which for salvation to everyone who believes.
“From Keeping It Simple Stupid” to “Simple Is As Simple Does”
“Simple is as simple does” can mean that a person’s approach to matters in life and spirituality can be judged by their actions; if someone behaves in complex and unintelligible ways, it reflects their inability to find simple solutions to problems and the inability to relate to most people. This phrase emphasizes that actions are more telling than appearances or claims of the ability to reason or to think critically.
The Bible was written for every man, woman, boy and girl to read and understand. It has not remained that way and for some very good reasons, many would say. But, God intended His Word to be intelligible and useful for everyone who would believe.
Maybe We Should Make It A Little More Simple?
The Gospel Message literally means “good news” and occurs 93 times in the Bible, exclusively in the New Testament. The gospel is, broadly speaking, the whole of Scripture; more narrowly, the gospel is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation.
The Old Testament Law was given to Israel during the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 5:1). The Law can be thought of as a measuring stick, and sin is anything that falls short of “perfect” according to that standard. Despite our “goodness” or “badness” relative to each other, we are all in the same spiritual boat, i.e., we have sinned, and the punishment for sin is death, i.e. separation from God, the source of life (Romans 3:23), and in order for us to go to heaven.
The Jewish Law which was the forerunner of Christianity, established the fact that being made spiritually clean from sin or “perfect” can only happen through a blood-letting sacrifice of an innocent life (Hebrews 9:22). (Although this makes little sense to the contemporary mind, it was well known and was a legalistic and burdensome thing to the ancient Jew.)
The Gospel involves Jesus’ death on the cross as the sin offering to fulfill the Law’s righteous requirement (Romans 8:3–4; Hebrews 10:5–10). (Just for your information, under the Jewish Law, animal sacrifices were offered year after year as a reminder of sin and a symbol of the coming sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:3–4). When Christ offered Himself at Calvary, that symbol became a reality for all who would believe (Hebrews 10:11–18). The work of “atonement”, being made “at one with God”, is finished now, and that’s good news. No more burden of guilt, shame or fear from one’s lack of perfection or sinlessness, for anyone who believes in Jesus, what He has done and what He promised to His followers.
The gospel also involves Jesus’ resurrection on the third day. “He was killed for our sins and was raised to life for our “justification”, or our being declared “not guilty”, justified and in good standing with God (Romans 4:25). The fact that Jesus negated the penalty of sin, (our faults, failures and imperfections), and death (sin’s penalty) is good news, indeed. The fact that He offers to share that victory with us is the greatest news of all (John 14:19).
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
The gospel is a bold message, and we are not ashamed of proclaiming it.
It is a powerful message, because it is God’s good news.
It is a saving message, the only thing that can truly reform the human heart.
It is a universal message, for Jews and Gentiles both.
And the gospel is received by faith; salvation is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
The gospel is the good news that God loves the world enough to give His only Son to die for our sin (John 3:16). (This statement is only useful to those who choose to believe it).
The gospel is good news because our salvation and eternal life and home in heaven are guaranteed through Christ (John 14:1–4). “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4).
The gospel is good news when we understand that we do not (and cannot) earn our salvation but God offers this “Gift” without cost.
The gospel is the good news that we, who were once enemies of God, in His sight, have been “reconciled” or brought into agreement with God and with His standard of perfection, by the blood-sacrifice of Christ, reestablishing unified relationship with God.
The gospel is the good news that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Simpler Yet
Even if you don’t know it or can’t recognized it or won’t accept it, in so many ways, you and I are messed up – in fact, you can truly say that you were born that way! And it is because of that innate condition, even though it is no fault of your own, your life will always be a struggle. No matter how intelligent, no matter how rich or connected you become, your “messed-up condition” will always present new obstacles. And, you will die frustrated and unfulfilled unless you change your core-self and your core-beliefs. Additionally, unless you succeed in changing the “Inner Person”, you will die and your soul, your spirit, will descend into what is described as an outer darkness, where there is misery, wailing, endless terror and intolerable pain for eternity. But it need not be this way. You must be born again, in your spirit.
God loves you and has given you a choice. Follow Him. Believe in His Son, Jesus and follow Him and His accept and adopt His Mindset and His ways – or perish.
The Benefits of ChristianityWithout Christ
Unconditional Love Only conditional love
Satisfying, lasting Joy An insatiable search of happiness
Peace that transcends understanding Peace only from gain
Inexplicable Patience Results oriented patience
Undue Kindness Requite kindness
Unearned Goodness And eye for an eye goodness
Dependable Faithfulness Faithful to laws or dogma
Comfort Giving Gentleness Occasional gentleness
The Power of Self-Control Control over or by others
IF YOU WILL ACCEPT IT, GOD GIVES
Mental, emotional and spiritual relief through forgiveness of your sins, faults, and bad deeds – past, present and future – if you surrender your life, your mind, will and emotions to Jesus and conform thinking to His Gospel Truth.
Ongoing forgiveness and cleansing from sins through confession to Jesus and a new turning away from wrong doing, with continual forgiveness and peace by forgiving others of their misdeeds and sins.
God’s abundant provisions for your life according to your true needs and more than you can even think to ask.
I WOULD, BUT I AM NOT READY TO GIVE UP SOME THINGS…
If you are thinking that you would like to have all that knowing and following Jesus has to offer, then it this is all far away from you. The correct question to ask is, “What do I have to give in trade?” And the answer is, “Just You”.
If you are thinking I have to give up this or that to be a Christian well think again. God really does not want your this or that bad habits. In fact, God cannot tolerate those things anyway, so you keep them – or not. But like I said, it is those things that are causing your problems in the first place. So think it over. Shed the things that are causing your misery, loneliness, poverty, ill health, worries, low self-esteem, etc., and find peace and true personal and spiritual fulfillment or stay the way you are, being uncertain of your future and miserable. It really is your choice.
IF I WANTED TO BE “BORN AGAIN”, HOW WOULD I GET THERE?
Just go! Go to God and talk to God. Tell Him your situation. God knows that most people cannot just unload a lifetime of thinking a certain way and shed each and every practice or habit they have accumulated over a lifetime. He will speak into your heart and mind and begin to unburden you of your this and that, one thing at a time. Later on, you might want to find a Bible church to meet people who are on a similar journey and learn some things from them. Maybe you’ll want to get a Bible and see what else God has to say to you.
And believe it or not, you really can hear from God through prayer, through the Bible, through His Church, and circumstances, IF you trade in your natural mind for a Spiritual mind by being born again in your spirit. Just tell God that is what you want and them pursue Him. It’s simple. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.
God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline
GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE
I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”
It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”
Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.
God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.
God’s PLAN is a Plan of Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.
The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God),
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin),
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness),
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable),
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions),
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.).
We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that
1) Many will be cleansed,
2) Many will be purified,
3) They will be made spotless and,
4) They will be refined.
Here are just a few of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter.
I believe this is important to know, or at the very least, to be familiar with because,
(#1), it shows that what has been prophesied (foretold) has come to pass with exacting accuracy, so,
(#2), you can know that the Bible, God’s Breathed Word, is dependable – you can count on it. And,
(#3), you can know to prepare for what is coming without fear or dread. In fact, you can prepare with confidence that you are loved, needed and called by God to join Him in what He is doing in these last days in preparation for His return and the gathering of His saints, His Church, for an eternity in our heavely home with Him. And, finally,
(#4), you can boldy, lovingly and confidently confess to your friends and family that God loves them, is calling to them. You can lead them to the safety of His presence, today.
Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age):
God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!
Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and image from creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.
As the central Jewish place of sacrificial worship from about 515 B.C.E. until its destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E., the second temple in Jerusalem played a major role in the religious and national life of the Jewish people.
The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God. The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.
The “Birth Pains” of the tribulation which began at or around the birth of Jesus which includes the coming of false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, famines and earthquakes, which Jesus calls the beginning of Birth Pains, which describe tribulation Seals one through five as found in Matthew 24:1-31 and Revelation chapters 6 and 7. Testimonies and comments by Jesus and His disciples (the Apostles) clearly show the tribulation period, (the opening of tribulation Seals 1 through 5, began as early as Jesus’ birth through A.D. 95 and continue (see “Did Jesus and the Apostles Really Say This?”)
Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),
(1). “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).
(5). In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).
These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun betweenthe time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.
Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last daysit shall be…’(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”(Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.3.
1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last dayshe has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.4.
2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last daysthere will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.
Section 13.a.5.
1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
If these verses say that John was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95.
These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.
Jesus is tested and shows those who will follow Him – which includes you and me – how to resist the devil and overcome trial, temptations and tribulation.
Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.
The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!
Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
A satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).
From our perspective today, the next event in the eschatological timeline is the rapture can be considered as imminent, WITH THE EXCEPTION of the revealing of the antichrist, WHICH MOST COME FIRST, which is the man of lawlessness. (2 Thessalonians 1:2-4).
The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have already occurred at this point in time. For greater detail, click here for “The Great Tribulation”).
The rapture of the Church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him (Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too.
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, will have begun. (Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will have escaped these days.)
Section 25.a.
The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb; a period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven (Revelation 7:9-11). It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).
Revelation 9:13. Then the sixth angel sounded [his trumpet], and I heard a solitary voice from the four horns of the golden altar which stands before God, verse 14, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” Verse 15. So the four angels, who had been prepared for the [appointed] hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Verse 16. The number of the troops of cavalry was twice ten thousand times ten thousand (two hundred million); I heard the number of them. Verse 17. And this is how I saw the horses and their riders in my vision: the riders had breastplates [the color] of fire and of hyacinth (sapphire blue) and of brimstone (yellow); and the heads of the horses looked like the heads of lions; and from out of their mouths came fire and smoke and brimstone (burning sulfur). Verse 18. A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone that came from the mouths of the horses. Verse 19. For the power of the horses [to do harm] is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and it is with them that they do harm.
The sounding of the 6th Trumpet signals the release of the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates, which represents an army. The number of the troops of cavalry is “twice ten thousand times ten thousand”, or two hundred million. Most commentators suggest this is an army of China based on the size of the army.
However, the Euphrates river is in southwestern Asia, and winds through regions of the Middle East, through northern Syria and Iraq to the head of the Persian Gulf.
It is also useful to note thatthe 10 Nation Confederation named in Ezekiel 38, in Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon are from the nations of:
1. Gog, also known as Rosh, (Russia) and,
2. Rosh, (Russia),
3. Magog, also known as (Russia),
4. Gomer, also known as (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
5. Put, also known as (Libya),
6. Cush, also known as (Ethiopia),
7. Persia, also known as (Iran),
8. Meshech, also known as (Modern Day Turkey),
9. Tubal, also known as (an area in central Turkey),
10. Beth-Togarmah, also known as(Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey -Armenia)
The combined armies described in the Book of Ezekiel, from the East. They are Russia, with an army of one million one-hundred thousand; Turkey, with an army of three hundred fifty-five thousand; Iran, with an army of five hundred twenty-three thousand, (including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard); Ethiopia’s army of one hundred thirty-eight thousand; Chechnya’s army is approximately ten thousand; the army of Georgia is approximately twenty-one thousand; Even with this abbreviated list we can count only two million, one hundred forty-two thousand fighting troops, far short of the prophesied “two hundred million troop” end-times military invasion of Israel.
(Interestingly, however, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has since transformed geopolitics, uniting the West against Russia and reigniting talk of a new Cold War or even World War 3. But Russia, it is now clear, is not as isolated as the initial global outcry suggested. It benefits from a robust network of partners, allies, and fellow travelers that includes countries such as Belarus, China, India, Iran, and North Korea.
Since the invasion, China and India have dramatically increased imports of discounted Russian oil, providing Moscow with a record current account surplus in 2022. Iran has provided Russia with vital arms, including Shahed kamikaze drones to swarm Ukraine’s air defenses. Last year, North Korea began shipments of artillery and missiles to Russia. And many countries in the Global South, including South Africa, continue to maintain military and strategic ties with Russia.
When considering Russia’s allies in addition to the 10 Nation Confederation previous referenced in this article from Ezekiel 38, Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon, the numbers begin to increase dramatically.
Finally, when considering the cumulative population of these countries (three billion seven hundred million) and their conscription capabilities, it is easy to see how a military force of 250,000,000 could be assembled at any moment.
And, they will be released to kill a third of mankind.
Section 25.c.
The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).
Section 25.d.
The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation. Having returned in the clouds after the breaking of the fifth tribulation Seal and before the breaking of the Sixth tribulation seal (Matthew 24:29-31), Jesus now re-appears with the armies of heaven And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (see Revelation 19:16), to save Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Section 25.e.
The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.
Section 25.f.
The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).
Section 25.g.
The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).
Section 25.h.
The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
Section 25.i.
The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.
Those who have overcome, are with God eternally – which includes you and me – and, God’s Plan for Perfection has been completed.
Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith,which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If youkeep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:29).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as .
Bible Verse – “Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:29).
IN CONTEXT
“Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting your souls, so it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well.” (Acts 15:24-29).
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“I will abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. And, If I keep myself from these, I will do well. (Acts 15:29).
There seems to be a fine line between treating scriptures strictly as “do’s and don’t’s” which can turn The New Covenant give to us by Jesus into just another Law – which, as we know, no one can keep. This inevitably lead to a form of legalism or ‘law keeping’. A burden far too heavy for anyone.
Therefore, we will focus on the essentials: Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality.
Interestingly, Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:
1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.
DO RIGHT.
RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.
ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS
Interesting, isn’t it? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?
NEXT: (Coming Soon) CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION– Romans 8:13 – For if youlive according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).
Thus begins the record and demonstration of the mysterious ways of God, His power and proofs by way of the coming of The Holy Spirit and the fulfilling of prophecies. Once again, I would remind that these are the acts of God, alone. Men and women can and will be affected by them, deepened in their faith, galvanized in thier beliefs and moved to action, but in no case do we have the authority to replicate these acts by our own volition. It is the Work of God through His yielded and obedient servants – including you and me.
The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1,When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.Verse 2. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.Verse 3. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them.Verse 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.
(Commentary Break):
It was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest. In Palestine, there were two harvests each year. The early harvest which came during the months of May and June; and the final harvest came in the Fall. Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early wheat harvest, In the Hebrew Bible, mysterious windstorms with fire or lightning are consistently associated with two things: God’s presence and the formation of a temple. This leads us to the significance for the fulfilling of prophecy and this act – it is the date of the establishing of the Christian Church, and it signals the inception of the greatest harvest of souls the earth will ever experience.
This day of Pentecost has to do with the initiation of the greatest of harvests
The signs and origins of these matters are meant to remain mostly a mystery to us. The wind, the cloven tongues of fire and the speaking in tongues in other recognizable languages are far beyond our natural comprehension. We see the results and marvel, but it is the advent of the Holy Spirit and His works at which we marvel.
We can speculate, but Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God’s ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts.” And again we are reminded that, God’s judgments are unsearchable, and His ways are inscrutable”. We cannot know His mind, nor can we advise God. (see Romans 11:33–34; Job 42:1–6; Psalms. 139:6, 17–18; 147:5; Isaiah. 57:15; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11; 1 Timothy 6:13–16).
Additionally, when a person is filled with and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they may appear to be doing wondrous works and miracles. But it is the work of the Holy Spirit through a vessel of flesh and blood. It should be a humbling experience and not one to be grasped upon by the participant.
Pray that God would bestow such a humbling honor upon you, then prepare yourself for both the expected and the unexpected!
The great harvest and the end of days as spoken of in scriptures, began with these events, and you are to be a participants in this final harvest of the earth, which marks the beginning of the end of all things on earth. Afterward, comes an eternity with God in a new heaven and a new earth! (End Commentary Break)
Verse 5. Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. Verse 6. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and they were bewildered, because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.Verse 7. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?Verse 8. And how is it that we each hear them in our own language, to which we were born?Verse 9. Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,Verse 10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,Verse 11. Cretans and Arabs; we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.”Verse 12. And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Verse 13. But others were jeering and saying, “They are full of sweet wine!”
(Commentary Break): The words used in the foregoing verses, 5 through 13, are very precise. Please take note: Jews residing in Jerusalem; devout men; from every nation; they were bewildered, amazed, astonished, in great perplexity; asking, what does this mean?
You must not miss the significance of the date on which this is occurring and seeming chaos of the moment. Although devout Jews, they have failed to see this coming as it was prophecied. But have no doubt, preparation is being made for the separation of the tares from the wheat, the sheep from the goats, and the faithful from the rebellious. (End Commentary Break).
Peter’s Sermon
Verse 14 But Peter, taking his stand with the other eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this, and pay attention to my words.Verse 15. For these people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is only the third hour of the day;Verse 16. But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS WILL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN WILL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN WILL HAVE DREAMS;
Verse 18. AND EVEN ON MY MALE AND FEMALE SERVANTS
I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT IN THOSE DAYS,
And they will prophesy.
Verse 19. ‘AND I WILL DISPLAY WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
Verse 20. ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD COMES.
Verse 21. ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’
(Commentary Break): Despite these wonders and signs, some were jeering and saying that these men were just drunk on sweet wine. But Peter takes his stand and says,”this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel the prophet: IN THESE LAST DAYS, GOD SAYS, (see Joel 2). The takeaway is that these events are the fulfilling of prophecy, and they mark the period in eschatology known as “The Last Days”!
It is very important to take note that Jesus spoke of these times as being “The Last Days” in Matthew 24:3-31,as did Peter, Timothy, Paul, Matthew and John (see “It Is Time – The Day Is Upon Us”).
This also marks the time when Jesus reminds His disciple, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest.” (see John 4:35), and this message still resonates to this day. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 22. “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know, verse 23, this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge ofGod, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. Verse 24. But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.Verse 25. For David says of Him,
‘I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME,
BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
Verse 26. ‘THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE WAS OVERJOYED;
MOREOVER, MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;
Verse 27. FOR YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES,
NOR WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.
Verse 28. ‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE;
YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’
Verse 29.“Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.Verse 30. So because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, verse 31, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.Verse 32. It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses.Verse 33. Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
(Commentary Break): Here, Peter continues to cite the fulfullment of prophecies by the risen Jesus our Christ and reminding everyone that these present are first hand witnesses! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 34. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
Verse 35. UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”’Verse 36. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Verse 37.Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?”Verse 38. Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”Verse 40. And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”Verse 41.So, then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.Verse 42. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Verse 43. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.Verse 44. And all the believers were together and had all things in common; verse 45, and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.Verse 46.Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, verse 47,praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Commentary Break): Please sense and feel the intensity of Peter’s words. See and read about the effects of his words. This should be the model for sermons in Christian Churches in these Last Days.
This should be the description of life within the Body of Christ in these Last Days. Everyone feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs taking place, and all believers together having all things in common; so we would be willing to sell property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone having need. Continuing, day by day, with one mind in the Church, breaking bread from house to house, taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord will add to our number day by day, that is those who are being saved. (End Commentary Break).
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for our teaching, rebuke, correction, abnd for our training in righteousness. As we move through this era of the Last Days which Jesus called the “beginning of Birth Pangs” and enter into the intensification of the final days of tribulation (just before the and the Sixth Tribulation Scroll and Seal and the rapture of the saints).
We must be prepared. We have been told and warned well in advance. Let’s pray for one another. Let;s stand together, doing what He has told us, up until that day!
I am asking that you not just read these verses as a historical narrative, but read as if you are there, with Jesus and His Apostles. Immerse your mind in the experiences of this journey. Consider yourself actively participating in these events as they take place. Consider this your discipleship training to actually go, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that Jesus has commanded, in the same way as Luke and the other disciples and Apostles of Jesus.
Secondly, this book has been one of the most manipulated and misused books in the Bible. There are those who have attempted to appropriate the Gifts, the prophecies and Spiritual movements of God for their own uses, benefits and profit. Some of these people are sadly misinformed and misguided. Most of the people, however, are those who deliberately misuse this book for their own purposes are ignorantly false teachers and false profits and should be denounced and avoided. Their avarice is like a deadly virus and will lead you away from the true Gospel of Jesus and His calling and mission for your life. Avoid such people, for your own benefit and wellbeing at any and all cost!
Dedicated Service
Acts 1:1, Theophilus, in the first book and account that I composed, was about all that Jesus began to do and teach, verse 2, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. Verse 3. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God.
Verse 4. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; verse 5, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
(Commentary Break): The first question to ask is “am I to follow Jesus in the same ways as Jesus’ apostles were to follow Him, or is this just a story? Is this just a historical account of Jesus, His Church and the spreading of the Gospel? If this is just a story or an historical account, it will be relegated to the dusty bins of forgotten lore.
But, no! These Words, written in the book of Acts, are the active, inspired Word of God. It is the Breath of God, penned by Luke, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. It is instructional, creative, causative and prophetic by its very nature.
The second question we should ask is “will I, too, be baptized with the Holy Spirit? The answer is yes. Jesus told His disciples that it was necessary and to their, and your advantage, that He would leave, for if He had not left, the Helper, (The Holy Spirit), would not have come to you; but since He left, Jesus sent Him to you.
The third question you should consider is “am I to be an apostle in order to obey and follow the instructions of this Book?” There were only twelve who held this office in Jesus’ Church. There are no others assigned to this office. (see GotQuestions.Org). However, there are those who are sent to proclaim the Gospel, and in this generic sense, the is the gift of an apostle.
Additionally, you and I, as disciples of Jesus, are given specific Spiritual Gifts. Our calling is most effective as we employ the gifts God has given each of us.
Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives His Body.
Serving 2. Word of knowledge 2. Prophet 2. Prophet
Teaching 3. Faith 3.Teacher 3. Evangelist
Exhortation 4. Gifts of healings 4. Miracles 4. Pastor
Giving 5. Miracles 5. Kinds of healing 5. Teacher
Overseer 6. Prophecy 6. Helps
Mercy 7. Distinguishing spirits 7. Administration
Tongues 8. Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
The preceding verses 3 through 5 make three important instructional points:
(1). Jesus was crucified, died, was raised to life. He appeared and spoke to the apostles over a forty day period, giving them convincing proofs and instructions. This was and is, also for you and me, today.
(2). These instructions, regarding the kingdom of God, which have been passed along to you and to me are for our use and application as disciples and ambassadors of Christ.
(3). The apostles were told to remain in Jerusalem until they had had been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Likewise, you and I are not to “go forth” until we too have been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the action of God that fills us with His power and abilities according to our Spiritual Gifting. (Remember, it is God who does His work through us).
Let me say, an ‘aside’, that all the ‘how to books’ such a ‘The Purpose Driven Life’, (Warren), ‘Your Best Life Now’, (Osteen), and thousands of others, written by aspiring religious authors, pastors, Bible teachers, preacher and theologians are superfluous and grossly misleading. They use Biblical words but deny their power as Jesus intended. They us Biblical concepts, but deceitfully twist their meaning to gain their own ends (increased sales, increased attendance to their churches, fame and money). The Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the beginning and the end of the matters of salvation, sanctification (maturing in Christ), walking in the Spirit of God, how we are to live and deport ourselves and in how we are to honor and glorify God. Only Jesus is the Truth the Way and the Life. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 6. So, when they, (the apostles), had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Verse 7. But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; verse 8, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
(Commentary Break): There are Bible teachers, and the like, who would tell you that these words in the Book of Acts were meant only for the apostles at that time. That is nonsense. The reason these words were recorded and preserved is because they are meant for all people, particularly Christians, of all times to provide convincing proof and for instructions for each generation.
Jesus is clear that it is not for us to know the times, but we are to concern ourselves – you are to concern yourself – with being His witness. This word ‘witness’ translates from the Greek word, ‘martus’, from which we get the word ‘martyr’. A true disciple of Jesus is willing to sacrifice his or her life for the Gospel and the Cause of Christ. Too many Christians think this means they will die for being a disciple of Jesus, and you might one day. But Jesus is clear that you must ‘put your old self to death’, forfeit your former life and assume a new life in Christ, in order to follow Him and to do His bidding in order to follow Him. In that sense you truly become a witness (a martyr) for Christ! When people see you they see you as a living witness of Jesus – full of love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, patience and self-control. (And by the way, this is very different from your testimony. Your testimony is about you. Your witness is about Jesus and what He has done). (End Commentary Break).
The Ascension
Verse 9. And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. Verse 10. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, verse 11, and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
(Commentary Break): It is worth noting that like them, many of us are still ‘staring skyward’, more interested in the timing of Christ’s return, the rapture and the tribulation period than we are in walking in the works He has prepared for us (see Ephesians 2:10).This is not right. Jesus has called us and sent us to complete His Great Commission. (End Commentary Break).
The Upper Room
Verse 12. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. Verse 13. When they had entered the city, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying, that is, Peter, John, James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas theson of James. Verse 14. All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Verse 15. At this time Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together), and said, verse 16, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. Verse 17. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” Verse 18. (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. Verse 19. And it became known to all the residents of Jerusalem; as a result that field was called Hakeldama in their own language, that is, Field of Blood.) Verse 20. “For it is written in the book of Psalms:
‘MAY HIS RESIDENCE BE MADE DESOLATE, AND MAY THERE BE NONE LIVING IN IT’; and, ‘MAY ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ Verse 21. Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, verse 22, beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Verse 23. So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. Verse 24. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all people, show which one of these two You have chosen verse 25, to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” Verse26. And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
(Commentary Break): There is much that can be gleaned from verses 12 through 26, but as I have said, it is not my intention to make detailed comments or explanation of the processes of events, but only the spiritual significances which can be immediately applied and made useful in our lives. Knowing is good, but knowledge without application or use is just idle information. However, here is a good resource for details and speculation: Enduring Word – Acts chapter 1. (End Commentary Break).
The book of the Acts or The Works of the Apostles tells how the gospel spread rapidly from Jerusalem to the whole Roman Empire, from its Jewish roots to the Gentile world, telling of the founding of the Christian Church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire. More importantly, it is an instruction in the prophetic. It reveals what it means to walk and to operate in the Spirit of God. It also reveals what is has been hidden and overlooked, but is in plain sight: the timeline of the tribulation period. It clearly marks out the first periods of the tribulation began, also called the beginning of the birth pangs, and points us to the second phase of the tribulation period, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, also known as the Seven Years of Great Tribulation, and The Wrath of the Lamb.
This book and the knowledge and the power it contains is not to be appropriated by any one individual for their personal use or consumption. It is for the Church. It tells us that we are to submit to His authority so He can perform His Works through us, as His fully devoted followers, in these Last Days. (Anyone who thinks these things can be held onto for oneself, for financial gain, fame, notoriety, recognition or profit, are in the same league with Simon the magician! Woe be unto them. God has prepared these works ahead of time so we might walk in them.
There is so much that has been made about Jesus’ death, burial and His resurrection. Some of it from first-hand witnesses, some from speculation, and some from doubters. But, in the end, it is up to you to decide. Pray, ask God for insight and wisdom. Search, study and glean the scriptures. All of this was foretold. It occurred with uncanny and frightening accuracy. Even the enemies of Jesus knew it was coming and tried to prevent it. Despite all the evidence and the world altering results, it is still accepted only by faith, and this faith is not blind. It is the hallmark of a true believer who has eyes to see.
Jesus Is Risen!
Matthew 28:1, Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Verse 2. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. Verse 3. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Verse 4. The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. Verse 5. And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. Verse 6. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Verse 7. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
(Commentary Break): There are scores of commentaries for you to read which will go into dizzying detail about the day, the time, the earthquake, the witnesses, the angel, the guards and these events. Go read them. But the final point is that Matthew spoke to first and witnesses and recorded what occurred. And if this is not enough, then look at the prophecies, the events leading up to Jesus’ mock trial, His execution, burial and resurrection; consider the sighting of Jesus and His interactions with people after His resurrection. All first-hand witnesses. And still, it’s up to you to believe, and that, only by faith. And, as Jesus has said, ‘if you don’t believe the words, then believe by the Works that preceded His death and those that followed Jesus’ resurrection’. Believe by the millions upon millions of lives that have been changed for the better. (also see GotQuestions.org). (End Commentary Break).
Verse 8. And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. Verse 9. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Verse 10. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
(Commentary Break): The Bible contains over 63 commands to “fear not” or “do not be afraid” in the context that God is over all and working in all things. In fact, He promises that He will work all things to work together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28). Now listen to what faith and obedience to His Word brings when God says, “fear not, bring word…and they will see Me”. In this specific case, the disciples, Jesus Christian brothers, were to leave for Galilee and there they will see Him. Now you, brothers and sisters, take action: You need not fear. Bring Word, go to Him, and you will see Him! This is both a promise and a prophetic command. Do it! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 11. Now, while they were on their way, some of the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. Verse 12. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, verse 13, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were asleep.’ Verse 14. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble.” Verse 15. And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day.
The Great Commission
Verse 16. But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. Verse 17. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. Verse 18. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Verse 19. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, verse 20, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Commentary Break): Notice that the 11 disciples proceeded to Galilee, and they worshiped Him when they saw Him. And even standing there, worshiping the visible living Jesus, SOME WERE DOUBTFUL. As unbelievable as that seems, Jesus still sent ALL ELEVEN of them, even the doubters, to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that He has commanded. (End Commentary Break).
Please, dear friends, the time of His return is drawing near. Let’s stop standing around looking skyward, as the angel said. It is not ours to know the day or the hour, but He will return at the right time, in the same manner He left. Ours is to be ready and found doing all that He has commanded us.
In the meantime, we have been called and sent. It is past time to stop playing religion and stop just attending church and take these Spiritual Gifts He has put within us and use them profitably according to His purpose, mission and calling to us!
Living your life for Christ is your testimony and witness to what God has done. You, being full of the Spirit, full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in all you do, and when the time comes tell them about the reason for your Hope. JESUS!
The “Urban Dictionary” puts it this way: “An American idiom commonly used in military operations to mean the first soldiers to go into a war zone. In common usage, it means the first to venture into a new endeavor. A trailblazer.”
The Bible uses a similar term to describe relationships between Christians in general and between husbands and wives in particular. The word is “Hupotasso“.
You will never find that word spelled, as such, in your Bible, though. It is the Greek word ‘hupotasso’ used for “Submit to” or “be subject to”.
The King James uses the word “submit” but, it reads this way in the New American Standard version of the Bible:
Ephesians5:21, “and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Verse 22. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Verse 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Verse 24. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
The intention of “submission or subjection” is found in the CONTEXT of the words in this chapter of Ephesians, which encourages us to be wise and moral, kind and pure, gentle and forgiving.
The context is also found in the meaning of the words in these verses.
Specifically, “Hupotasso” comes from a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. These troop formations were called a Phalanx. The Phalanx was the formation, usually in triangular form, in which The hoplite phalanx of the Archaic and Classical periods in Greece (c. 800–350 BC) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order.
Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greekcity-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the soldiers from acting alone, for this would compromise the formation and minimize its strengths.
The hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields.
Those at the front were, what we would call today, THE TIP OF THE SPEAR or the POINT MAN. They presented the first defense against the enemy and were the first to engage the enemy and the first to take casualties.
The phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy. Making frontal assaults against it very difficult.
It also allowed a higher proportion of the soldiers to be actively engaged in combat at a given time, rather than just those in the front rank.
This word, “Hupotasso”, in non-military use, is “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.
The Bible gives this as an example for husbands and wives to cooperate and to successfully navigate life and in waging wars against ‘their common enemy’, Satan.
The wife is fully engaged in the marriage relationship, but, God says the husband is to be the Tip of the Spear in order to protect and preserve and, if necessary, the first to fall.
Interestingly, Ephesians 5:22, “be subject to your own” uses the word “idios” which means, uniquely one’s own, peculiar to the individual. It is “stronger than the simple possessive pronoun (‘own’). This emphatic adjective means ‘private, personal’ “.
God gives each husband a wife, designed by God, Himself, to fulfill a role specifically for that husband. God gives the wife gifts, talents, abilities and a calling uniquely designed to serve God and to compliment and to complete the husband.
This is why the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself”.
It is also why God says “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord”.
Neither, the husband nor the wife, can be made complete as persons when finding refuge, protection and provision. But as a God given ability, you can mature and sustain one another, until you understand this Spiritual principal and follow it.
Marriage has mutual strength through commitment and cooperation with one another under God’s Steady Hand.
Please take this to heart, dear ones. This message is so important.
The world and the Devil are deceiving the family in to thinking ‘what works for you is OK”. It is NOT OK. God’s design, His plan and His Word is what gives life, and life more abundant. Stop following the world and REASON through God’s Word. Understand it and live!
So, how does this apply to women in the church, and specifically women as pastors in a church? In this instance, it is much simpler to explain from Scriptures and even easier to understand than the first half of this article. Allow me to lay the groundwork:
First, all Scripture is the Breathed-out Word of God, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Bible tells us that the Word of God is without any error, is dependable, revealing, powerful, piercing, and eternal. It is the lamp unto our feet and the light upon our path. John 14:14-18 tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that Jesus is the Word! Additionally, Jesus tells us that He came to tell the truth (John 18:37), and that He in fact is The Truth (John 14:6). So, it is safe and wise to believe and to do whatever the Bible says – especially the plain things!
Therefore, when the Bible says, “As in all the churches of the saints,the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”
I have read the numerous opinions and commentaries on this matter of women being ordained as a pastor. Reading the pros and cons doesn’t take one long to determine what the varying authors believed before they wrote their opinion. One such opinion, found on Bible.Org, written by a Sandra Glahn, who holds a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and a PhD in The Humanities, Aesthetic Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, tries to frame the Apostle Paul’s words in the context of spiritual gifts, specifically prophecy and speaking in tongues. I find her attempt clumsy and severely biased at best, and the use of eisegesis, a deliberate distortion of scriptures, at worst, connecting dots that don’t align, so to speak.
The context of Paul’s remarks are about orderly worship but come under the heading of submission to authority as a protective covering as described throughout the Bible
1 Corinithians 11:2-3,“Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
The rebellious and feeble attempts to change the meaning and the context of this matter and these verses, should cause the rebel to remember these words: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say…?
His Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. God sent His Son to seek and to save – to make safe, to make whole, to make healthy and sound, with a great purpose and direction in life! And to as many as received Him by faith, He has given them the right to be the children of God.
For your own sake and safety, don’t change even one letter or iota of His Word! Believe and Live!
Judas’ Remorse, Jesus Before Pilate, Jesus Mocked, The Crucifixion, Jesus Burial
The central theme of the Bible, of course, is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, but it is also a comprehensive and extensive spiritual document about the creation of humanity, the cosmos and their ultimate end.
The Bible is also the longest ‘breathed out’ love letter ever written and it is written to you by God, which is about you and for you. His Words are spoken to you and if you will consume His Words, (that is to ‘eat His Body and drink His Blood’), He will speak His Words through you! You will have become His instrument to effect His plan, purpose and mission on the earth.
Therefore, it is beyond important to know what he Bible is saying to you so you can come to know God in an intimate and personal way. Then you can gain an understanding of what He is saying to you, about you, for you and through you. Please don’t get lost in the narrative; focus on Him and what He is saying to you.
Judas’ Remorse
Matthew 27:1,Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; verse 2, and they bound Him and led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
(Commentary Break): Please re-read Matthew 27:1-2, and cast them in the light of Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”. There are two realms. The Spiritual realm and the realm of ‘flesh and blood’, or the natural realm. These verses are comparing and contrasting these realities. Our battle is not against people, but against the rulers, and the powers, and against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places which possess and influence people of flesh and blood to do their evil and wickedness. Which realm is at work in the hearts and minds of the chief priests and the elders? And why would these spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness influence these priests and Elders to confer against Jesus, and to put Him to death? And, why would they eventually hand Jesus over to Pilate?
By understanding these things, you can see and get a better understanding of the battle that rages for your and every man, woman, boy and girl’s heart, soul and mind. These verses, when correctly understood and personally applied, can tell you the deeper meaning and motives of the spiritual forces of darkness and of wickedness. They have come only to kill, steal and destroy! The Bible and these verses in particular, can instruct you and empower you to resist and overcome evil. This is personal. Very personal! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 3. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, verse 4, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!” Verse 5. And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself.
(Commentary Break): Here is the continuing example of a person, (flesh and blood), having been influenced and possessed by the rulers, the powers, the world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, to do their evil works.
Read again the cold, heartless and wicked response to Judas repentant cry when he bemoans “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And look at the result; Judas hanged himself. These are the forces which are crouching outside your door, waiting to influence you, to whisper lies to you, to kill and destroy you.
This is not just a story about Judas or a drama about betrayal and murder. This is the cosmic and spiritual battle we all face. This is about life and death and eternity. This is about you and me. This is very personal! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 6. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.” Verse 7. And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. Verse 8. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Verse 9. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; Verse 10. AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, JUST AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”
(Commentary Break): True to form, the chief priests follow their manmade laws above all else, even above their Torah. They “tithe mint and dill and cumin, while neglecting the weightier provisions of the Law, such as justice and mercy and faithfulness”. They are, as Jesus has called them, “blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel, and hypocrites! They clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence!”
Dear ones, please listen. Just like these religious scribe, Pharisees and chief priests, many churches today have these same the rulers, and powers, and world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness influencing pastors, elders and teachers, who ardently and stubbornly follow the laws of their own denomination or of their own making while neglecting the weightier provisions of the Law, such as justice and mercy and faithfulness. They too, are blind guides and hypocrites full of robbery and self-indulgence. Do not their bidding, point them out and flee from them. Jesus has warned that these days would come. It began in His time on earth and has intensified in these Last Days. (End Commentary Break).
Jesus before Pilate
Verse 11. Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” Verse 12.And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not offer any answer. Verse 13. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” Verse 14. And still He did not answer him in regard to even a single charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.
Verse 15. Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. Verse 16. And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Verse 17. So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Verse 18. For he knew that it was because of envy that they had handed Him over.
Verse 19. And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “See that you have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Verse 20. But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. Verse 21. And the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Verse 22. Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” Verse 23. But he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”
Verse 24. Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; you yourselves shall see.” Verse 25. And all the people replied, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Verse 26,Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
(Commentary Break): These things had to be accomplished to fulfill the scriptures. I hope you have read these things with this one thing in mind: Jesus is innocent. You and I are the guilty parties. But He was silent when the accusations and the charges were being made. He knew what He was doing, and it was out of love for you and me that He endure this shame and punishment.
Psychologist might say that crowd hysteria had taken over, but they would have been blind to what was truly at work. Satan had released rulers, and powers, and world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness and they were now influencing and speaking through the crowds. Undoubtedly, a frightening sight.
Pilate, however, saw through the subterfuge and declared Jesus as innocent. He tried to distance himself, making the feeble statement, “I am innocent of this man’s blood”, but he still condemned Jesus to death.
Then, prophetically, all the Jews in the crowd replied, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” And so it has been, throughout the ages, on the Nation of Israel.
However, the Apostle Paul explains and warns, in Romans 11:20-24, “That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith [as believers understanding the truth of Christ’s deity]. Do not be conceited, but [rather stand in great awe of God and] fear [Him]; for if God did not spare the natural branches [because of unbelief], He will not spare you either. Then appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: to those who fell [into spiritual ruin], severity, but to you, God’s gracious kindness, if you continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him]; otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they [the unbelieving Jews], if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these who are the natural branches back into [the original parent stock of] their own olive tree? (End Commentary Break).
Jesus Is Mocked
Verse 27. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort to Him. Verse 28. And they stripped Him and put a red cloak on Him. Verse 29. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Verse 30. And they spit on Him, and took the reed and beat Him on the head. Verse 31. And after they had mocked Him, they took the cloak off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
Verse 32. As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they compelled to carry His cross.
The Crucifixion
Verse 33. And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, verse 34, they gave Him wine mixed with bile to drink; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink it.
Verse 35. And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among themselves by casting lots. Verse 36. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. Verse 37. And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Verse 38. At that time two rebels were being crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. Verse 39. And those passing by were speaking abusively to Him, shaking their heads,40, and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Verse 41. In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, verse 42, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. Verse 43. HE HAS TRUSTED IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE TAKES PLEASURE IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Verse 44. And the rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way.
Verse 45. Now from the sixth hour, (which was noontime), darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour (which was 3 p.m.). Verse 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” Verse 47. And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Verse 48. And immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. Verse 49. But the rest of them said, “Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.” Verse 50. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. Verse 51. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Verse 52. Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; verse 53, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Verse 54, Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Verse 55. And many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while caring for Him. Verse 56. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus Is Buried
Verse 57. Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea came, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Verse 58. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.Verse 59. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, verse 60. and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Verse 61. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Verse 62. Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, Verse 63. and they said, “Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘After three days I am rising.’ Verse 64. Therefore, give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Verse 65. Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” Verse 66. And they went and made the tomb secure with the guard, sealing the stone. (End Chapter 27).
(Commentary Break): This series of events actually began with the birth of Jesus, but take a precipitous turn at the noon hour on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Spiritual Real of the Kingdom of Heaven breaks through to the natural realm for all to see. On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, darkness fell upon all the land, during the middle of the day, from noontime until three p.m., when Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (End Commentary Break).
The beginning of the Last Days began with the birth of Jesus. The first five seals of the tribulation have been broken from around A.D. 1 through A.D. 95, (see Revelation 6:1-11), and have been overlapping and the effects have been intensifying. These are the harbingers of the coming sixth tribulation seal (see Revelation 6:12-17), which will bring a Great Tribulation such as not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, and never will be again. (see Matthew 24:21).
The next, and final chapter of the Book of Matthew, will put an exclamation point on what had been foretold and has come to pass! Jesus has risen from the dead, conquering death and negating the penalty of sin for all who believe.
These troop formations were called a Phalanx. The Phalanx was the formation, usually in triangular form, in which The 
This is why the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Marriage has mutual strength through commitment and cooperation with one another under God’s Steady Hand.
